How to Make Baked Penne Casserole

Baked penne casserole is one dish that will not disappoint you. The melted cheese and sauces will leave you asking for more. It can be made with various sauces, spices and fillings of your choice. The dish can be made ahead and frozen till the time it has to be baked. It s a filling meal, loved by kids and adults both. Give this recipe a try to get praises from friends and family alike.

Prep time: 30 min
Bake time: 30 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 4 servings
Utensils: Pot, mixing bowl, skillet

Ingredients:
Boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces: 1 pound
Dried basil, oregano and parsley flakes: 1 teaspoon
Chopped onion, green pepper and sweet red pepper: 1/2 cup
Salt: 1/2 teaspoon
Canola oil: 1 tablespoon
Crushed red pepper flakes: 1/2 teaspoon
Garlic cloves, minced: 3
Can diced tomatoes, undrained: 1 (14-1/2 ounces)
Uncooked penne pasta: 1-1/2 cups
Tomato paste: 3 tablespoons
Shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese: 2 cups (8 ounces)
Chicken broth: 3/4 cup
Grated romano cheese: 1/2 cup

Instructions

  • 1

    Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Take a large sauce pan and pour in the oil. On medium high heat, cook the chicken till it loses its pink colour. Add the peppers, onions and the seasonings. Let the onions get translucent in colour. Now add garlic and let it cook for one more minute.

  • 2

    Take a large pot and fill with water. Bring the water to a boil and cook the pasta as instructed by the directions on the package. In the meantime, add tomato paste and tomatoes in a blender. This will form a paste. Add this tomato paste to the chicken mixture. Next, add in the broth and stir. Let it come to a boil. After that, reduce the heat to a low and cover the pot. Let the mixture simmer for around 15 minutes. It should get thicker.

  • 3

    When the pasta is cooked, put it in a strainer and drain. Add it to the pot with the chicken mixture. Prepare a 2-qt baking dish by lightly greasing it.  Put half of the mixture in this dish and spread it evenly to cover the base. Top it with half of the Romano cheese. Repeat the same layers and the top should be of the cheese.

  • 4

    Cover the dish with foil and bake it for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Take the foil off and let it bake for 20 minutes more or until it is thoroughly heated.

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